| Raised bed gardens, or gardens that are planted in | | | | If your plants require a more acidic or alkaline soil, |
| elevated or terraced areas, are very popular in many | | | | you can also make those adjustments from one |
| parts of the world, and have been a tried and true | | | | elevated area to another. |
| gardening method for centuries. This type of | | | | Climate may be another important consideration. |
| gardening system solves problems like poor soil | | | | Raised beds do tend to dry out more quickly, and |
| conditions, bad drainage, and a host of other issues | | | | thus will require more frequent watering. However, |
| that can make planting difficult. Because much of the | | | | you can also place your irrigation system in a |
| world is not blessed with perfect, fertile soil, elevated | | | | strategic location to reduce the volume of water |
| gardens are constructed out of necessity. | | | | needed. If you are in a very rainy climate, the |
| If you are preparing to construct a garden, and you | | | | improved drainage provided by elevated gardens will |
| think that elevated beds might meet your needs, | | | | promote higher productivity and better opportunity |
| there are a number of considerations to take into | | | | for tending of the garden. |
| account before you begin digging. In this article, we'll | | | | There are health benefits to raised bed gardens, too. |
| explore some of the aspects of these gardens that | | | | Because you don't have to bend and stoop all the |
| may play a role in your decision about whether this | | | | way over to the ground, you'll be putting much less |
| ancient gardening method is right for you. | | | | stress and fatigue on your back and joints. Higher |
| Raised beds can be constructed of almost any | | | | beds are also an excellent gardening solution for |
| strong type of material that is readily available in your | | | | physically impaired individuals. The height of the beds |
| area. In other parts of the world, elevated gardens | | | | can be designed to correspond to the height of a |
| are reinforced with rocks, wood, bamboo, and other | | | | wheelchair. If you are building with handicap access in |
| materials that are indigenous to various regions. If | | | | mind, be sure to allow enough distance between the |
| you decide to use wood, be sure to choose a wood | | | | beds so that a wheelchair can fit through. You also |
| that is not chemically treated, as those chemicals can | | | | need to insure each elevated section is narrow |
| leak out into the soil over time, poisoning and killing | | | | enough so that the individual can reach all the way |
| your plants. | | | | into the center of the bed, as necessary. Handicap |
| Elevated beds are ideal in hilly areas. If your planned | | | | accessible elevated gardens can also benefit from |
| garden site is on a slope, consider terracing into the | | | | brick or stone pathways, which are easier to |
| hill to form planting areas that are flat on top. | | | | navigate in a wheelchair. |
| Furthermore, raised beds are an excellent solution if | | | | Lastly, if you have problems with garden pests, such |
| your garden is in a low spot or an area that does not | | | | as squirrels, rabbits or deer, raised bed gardens may |
| drain well. During the construction of the bed, you | | | | be a good gardening solution because they can be |
| can inlay tile to exit at the lowest point. Midwestern | | | | more difficult for these animals to access. Raised bed |
| farmers learned generations ago that laying drainage | | | | gardens can also be easily penned in with netting or |
| tile in flat fields improves productivity because the soil | | | | fencing to keep unwanted animals out. |
| drains better. Regardless of your elevation, in some | | | | Constructing elevated gardens is no small job. Before |
| applications, you may need to line the inside of the | | | | beginning, it's important to take all considerations into |
| bed with a sheet of black plastic to prevent the | | | | account to be sure that this method of gardening is |
| plants from rooting too deeply. In these situations, | | | | right for you. For many gardeners, these beds are |
| laying drainage tile is also very important. | | | | ideal. For some gardeners who already have good soil |
| Soil type can also influence your decision to construct | | | | and drainage conditions, they are unnecessary. Either |
| raised bed gardens. If you live in an area with poor | | | | way, with a little research and forethought, you'll |
| soil, elevated beds give gardeners an opportunity to | | | | make the decision that is best for you and your |
| grow plants that otherwise would not thrive in their | | | | plants. And if you do decide to construct raised bed |
| local soil conditions. Once a bed is constructed, you | | | | gardens in your yard, you will likely enjoy years of |
| can fill it with whatever soil type you think will be | | | | gardening success from your efforts. |
| most beneficial to the plants you'll be growing there. | | | | |